About The Coalition

The Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County is a private, non-profit maternal and child health organization dedicated to reducing Hillsborough County’s infant mortality rate and improving the health of pregnant women.

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women, children and families in Hillsborough County.

In 1991, Governor Lawton Chiles established Healthy Start Coalitions throughout Florida in order to provide community oversight and planning to improve maternal and child health. Today, there are 32 Coalitions and last year Healthy Start Coalitions provided 3.5 million services for care coordination, mental health counseling and parent education.

The Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County fosters partnerships with all community organizations and individuals with a vested interest in maternal and child health to maximize community resources. These partners include local public and private medical professionals, hospitals, universities, businesses, churches, high schools, social service agencies and individuals.

By working together, the Coalition assesses community needs, develops a community-based service delivery plan, ensures the integration of local providers and services, and improves positive patient outcomes. The Healthy Start Coalition receives funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, Florida Department of Health, Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center, Healthy Families Florida, and the Ounce of Prevention Fund.